Basic Needs Insecurity Among Adult Learners During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Persistence and Transitions: Rethinking Student Trajectories

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to examine factors associated with the basic needs insecurity experienced by adult learners in higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were derived from the 2020 #RealCollege Survey, which was completed by 31,302 adult learners (≥ 25 years old) at 72 four-year and 127 two-year higher education institutions in 42 states. The results suggest that several demographic, institutional, and financial variables were associated with adult learners’ increased odds of experiencing food and housing insecurity. Furthermore, the academic, financial, and health-related difficulties adult learners experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic were uniformly associated with increased odds in experiencing food and housing insecurity.

Author

• Krista M. Soria, University of Idaho
  Presenting Author